Hold History in the Palm of Your Hand

Inver Grove Heights community members will have the opportunity to hold a piece of the Civil War in their hands on Thursday.

will host “The Civil War Trunk,” an event at which residents can learn about and interact with several Civil War-era artifacts and reproductions.

“I would hope that people would take away a few different views of the war,” said Jessica Bierbrauer, a staff educator with the Dakota County Historical Society, who will be presenting the objects.

The event is being held in conjunction with the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War. Attendees will be able to examine period items, including ammunition, photographs and reproduction uniform pieces.

Bierbrauer will specifically address local history in 1862, mainly as seen through the eyes of William Gates LeDuc, an early Hastings settler who enlisted with the Union Army in 1862 and served as a captain and assistant quartermaster.

“It’ll be that local connection,” said Richard Graham, coordinator for the IHCC Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL).

“The Civil War Trunk” is the third of six events in a series about the sesquicentennial presented by ALL through a partnership with the Dakota County Historical Society. The final three events will be held in the fall of 2012.

ALL organizes programs for adult learners in the community. The Civil War events are part of the organization’s monthly Interesting Conversations with Interesting People series, during which an expert leads a discussion on a topic pertaining to politics, government, culture, history or society.

“The Civil War Trunk” will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. on May 10 in IHCC College Center room 290. The event is free.

For more information about ALL, visit the organization’s website.